QB Painter prepares for rival Indiana, final game as Boilermaker
>>Print ViewPublication Date: 11/21/2008
Brandon Reese | Staff Photographer
Senior quarterback Curtis Painter throws a pass Saturday during Purdue's 22-17 loss to Iowa. Painter was 24 for 30 with two touchdowns.
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Few players in the history of the Big Ten have come under such scrutiny while putting up such good numbers as Purdue's quarterback has the past three-plus seasons.
Such is life for senior Curtis Painter, whose Purdue career will end Saturday in Ross-Ade Stadium against the team where he first showed his potential back in 2005, rival Indiana. A rough start this season caused him to fall out of favor with fans and eventually be temporarily replaced by junior backup Joey Elliot earlier this year at Northwestern and against Penn State. Add to that the fact that he has been dealing with a nagging shoulder injury since Purdue's game against Minnesota Oct. 25th and adversity would be an understatement for what Painter's been through.
"I've definitely been through some adversity," Painter said. "But I don't pay attention to the criticism. I'm pretty hard on myself and I work hard for myself every day to get better. I don't worry about outside pressure."
Throughout the past several seasons, Painter has steadily climbed both the Purdue and Big Ten all-time rankings in several major categories. He entered this season within striking distance of former Purdue quarterback Drew Brees' records for passing yards, attempts and completions. This caused him to receive a massive amount of hype heading into 2008, topping draft guru Mel Kiper's list of senior quarterbacks nationally, and being mentioned in the conversation for many national awards. Still, Painter never let the hype get to him and is not a fan of comparing himself to former Purdue greats.
"My attitude is the type to not pay attention to (hype)," Painter said. "Whether there is a ton of hype or none at all, I don't let that affect me. A lot of things are different in my years here and Drew Brees' years here so I don't like to compare us. Luckily I've been fortunate enough to be mentioned with some of those guys."
Painter currently sits at second on the Big Ten's all-time passing yards chart, behind Brees, with 10,715 yards. Earlier this season, he became one of only four Big Ten quarterbacks to throw for 10,000 yards. Despite a disappointing year where he has thrown just eight touchdowns to 11 interceptions, offensive coordinator Ed Zaunbrecher still believes his quarterback has a bright future.
"I think he is an improved quarterback (this year), I have no doubt about that." Zaunbrecher said. "He has learned how to prepare for games and he's been ready mentally. Things haven't always worked out the way we would have liked, but this year he's been prepared better than ever."
There are myriad reasons for Painter's drop-off in production this year; the loss of now New York Jets tight end Dustin Keller and record-setting wide receiver Dorien Bryant, or perhaps an injury-depleted offensive line, or maybe even the fact that Purdue played some very good defenses this year. Then there will always be the critics who say that Painter has never beaten a ranked opponent. Whatever anyone's opinion on him is, Painter will graduate as one of Purdue's most prolific passers. When asked about the legacy he will be leaving in West Lafayette, Painter seems unsure.
"I don't know," Painter said. "We've had some highs and some lows. The bowl games we've gone to are something special; they signify a successful season and not everybody gets to do that. The Motor City Bowl was a great game for us, it was definitely one of the highs and it showed what this team was made of. We've beaten IU a couple of times and Notre Dame. Basically, even though we've had some tough times, we've also done some things well and when I look back that's what I see."